Health authorities expect the current COVID surge to be short and sharp. Case numbers have increased by 47 per cent over the past week while hospital COVID admissions are up 11 per cent. The new wave comes as the government rolls out a series of changes based on recommendations by the technical advisory group on immunisation. Adults will soon be able to receive Pfizer’s updated Omicron COVID vaccine as a third and fourth jab. It's the second bivalent booster approved for use in Australia joining Moderna’s vaccine. The government has also accepted a separate recommendation to make the paediatric Pfizer covid vaccine available for at risk children aged six months to 5 years.
